Analog invites you to turn up the volume


I've been listening to a lot of streaming digital lately and really enjoying it. The sound is nice, music selection is outstanding and sure can't beat the convenience. It has almost overtaken my listening sessions but last night I decided to fire up the turntable. I noticed myself turning the volume up and just rocking out at the level I thought was most satisfying. I was kind of startled to see how high I'd set the volume and when I checked the Db meter, it was 5 to 8 Db louder than when I listen to digital. I asked myself why I don't listen to digital at the same volume and I really couldn't come up with an answer because I certainly can. I just don't care to. 

tcutter

Showing 1 response by mswale

Think I tend to do the same thing. Crank up vinyl, not so much when streaming. 

At times streaming does have more detail, more of everything. But it can almost sound fake, at times compressed, of course fatiguing. 

Vinyl is like a warm blanket, you just get settled in, and enjoy. Will crank it up till the cartridge starts to pick up my speakers.  yeah, I need a better isolation for my TT.

There is another big difference, with vinyl, I sit, listen to the entire album. When streaming, it's a playlist, a station, or some mix. bitrates are all over the place, volume is never constant, soundstage, detail, dynamics are all over the place. Every song has it's own "flavor" it makes it much harder to stay in the pocket, disappear into the music. It's not as engaging or intimate. Think that is the reason, why vinyl wins.